A youth wing can prove to be an important asset for a Green Party when campaigning looms. As multiple election studies have shown, younger voters are more likely than older people to consider a vote for a Green Party. In this respect, a youth wing can be viewed as the perfect ‘tool’ to connect with younger voters. However, the mother party must not forget that a youth wing can never be a mere ‘tool’ and that a necessary amount of independence must be respected. It is important to stress that the message to the voter can only get through when both entities follow the same strategies. Most of the time, both the mother party and its youth wing are too small to work next to one other. So cooperation between a Green Party and its youth wing before and during elections is essential to the success of a coherent campaign. Such cooperation relies on mutual understanding, for which the sharing of information, mutual consultation and a clear and detailed agreement are key.

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Sabine Van Belle - Jonas De Meyer
Sabine Van Belle is coordinator for the Young Greens of Flanders (Jong Groen!) since 2007. She graduated in Biology and has a post-graduate degree in Environmental Sciences and Sustainable Development. Sabine is an experienced campaign coordinator for the Young Greens, having already conducted three successful campaigns on national/regional level.
Jonas De Meyer is International Secretary for the Young Greens of Flanders (Jong Groen!) since 2008. He graduated in History, has a post-graduate degree in International Relations and Diplomacy and currently works as adviser for Bruno De Lille, Green Member of the Government of the Brussels Capital Region. He has been active in several election campaigns.

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About the Handbook

The campaign handbook is an online guide to successful political campaigning. Its authors are mainly Green Party campaigners and activists from a range of countries across Europe, each with a different background, all with valuable experience to share. Read more…